Anti-Hyperglycemic and Hypoglycemic Activities of 80% Methanol Extract and Solvent Fractions of Ocimum lamiifolium Hochst Ex Benth. (Lamiaceae) Leaves in Mice

Abstract

Background

Globally, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus is rising. Due to the scarcity, high cost, and many adverse effects of modern treatments, traditional medicine is commonly used in rural areas to treat a variety of illnesses, including diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to assess the antihyperglycemic and hypoglycemic effects of Ocimum lamiifolium Hochst ex Benth leaves.

Methods

A crude methanol 80% extract’s and its solvent fractions’ effects on healthy, oral glucose-given, and STZ-induced diabetic mice were examined. Swiss albino mice of either sex were assigned into sixteen groups, each containing six mice, for the OGTT and hypoglycemia tests. Male mice were used in the study, and they were divided into groups for the negative control (citrate buffer for diabetic mice), the normal control (Tween 2%), the test groups, and a positive control (glibenclamide) for the antihyperglycemic test in STZ (200 mg/kg body weight)-induced diabetic mice.

Results

A crude 80% methanol extract of 200 mg/kg effectively lowered blood glucose levels (p <0.05) and none of the fractions extracts caused hypoglycemia shock in norma mice. The aqueous residue at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, the n-butanol fraction at 100 and 200 mg/kg, and the chloroform fraction at 200 mg/kg demonstrated higher glucose tolerance in orally glucose-loaded mice (p <0.05). The crude 400 mg/kg of an 80% methanol extract, 100 and 200 mg/kg of the n-butanol fraction, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the chloroform fraction, and 5 mg/kg of glibenclamide significantly reduced blood glucose levels in STZ-induced diabetic mice (p <0.05).

Conclusion

The current research demonstrates that a crude 80% methanol extract of Ocimum lamiifolium Hochst ex Benth leaves, as well as its solvent fractions, significantly reduce blood sugar levels in mice that are healthy, loaded with glucose, and streptozotocin induced diabetic mice.

Keywords:

• blood glucose
• diabetes mellitus
• glibenclamide
• hyperglycemia
• Ocimum lamiifolium
• oral glucose tolerance test
• streptozotocin

Abbreviations

DM, Diabetes Mellitus; DKA, Diabetic Keto Acidosis; GAD, Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase; GLP, Glucagon like Peptide; IDF, International Diabetic Federation; IGT, Impaired Glucose Tolerance; IR, Insulin Resistance; STZ, Streptozotocin; T1DM, Type one Diabetes Mellitus; T2DM, Type two Diabetes mellitus; GLUT2, Glucose Transport Two.

Data Sharing Statement

The datasets created and analyzed during the current investigation are available upon reasonable request from the corresponding author.

Acknowledgment

We would like to thank Addis Ababa University, the Center for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) for supporting the present study.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed to data analysis, drafted or revised the article, agreed on the journal to which the article will be submitted, gave final approval of the version to be published, and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work. TT, EM, BD, GD and TO conceptualized the study and contributed to the original idea. TT, EM and FT carried out the experiments. TT, EM and BD, drafted the manuscript. GD, FT and TO participated in drafting the manuscript. TT, FT and EM recorded the data related experiments. TT, EM and BD, performed data analysis and drafted the results. BD, GD, FT and TO critically reviewed and edited the manuscript. TT and EM oversaw the entire project, from survey tool development to data analysis. The final manuscript was reviewed, read, and approved by all of the authors.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they do not have any conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The study was funded by Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University.